Lina, a western lowland gorilla at the Albuquerque Biopark, was euthanized this weekend.

"She's one of Betty White's favorite animals," said the Biopark's Rick Janser. "She's come to our facility several times to visit Lina."

The two first met at the Los Angeles Zoo, where Lina was born.

"She actually helped raise Lina back in the day, in the late 70s," Janser said.

While the gorilla moved to Albuquerque in the early 90s, White kept in close touch and even wrote about the gorilla in one of her books.

"She's always inquiring with how Lina's doing, and she does have a special bond with Lina, just because she did help raise her when she was a youngster," Janser said.

Biopark leaders recently received a handwritten, heartfelt note from White after they sent her a painting that Lina had drawn.

On Friday, Lina suffered a brain aneurysm and was euthanized, leaving heavy hearts among humans and animals alike.

Lina didn't have any babies, but she did have an adoptive granddaughter who Biopark officials said has been sad ever since Lina died. A personal assistant for White said she will be upset to hear of Lina's death.